Take A Look At Your Impact

By Stephen Chapman

The consciousness that accompanied our evolution means that we have the capacity to reflect upon and change our behaviour

The travel industry employs one in every 12 workers on the planet and is worth $1.6 trillion-a-year. There are no defined 'rules' for travellers and tourists to help advise on best practices, so just as we rely on the ratings and recommendations of Rough Guide, Lonely Planet, Footprints and the rest when we travel, we must rely on each other to reduce our impact - socially, environmentally and economically.

We all have an effect on the world whenever we choose to travel, be it a 30 minute commute to work, a short city break, a weeks holiday in search of some winter sun, or a gap year spent traversing the globe. Our travels cause varying amounts of pollution to the environment depending on our chosen method, and in these times of cheap flights with budget airlines, big luxurious urban 4x4s, it's easy to forget about the cost incurred by our planet for our extravagance.

Why not rediscover the romance of a journey made by train, or by boat, or on foot! Add some adventure to your travels, and if time is short then stay close to home...explore your own backyard before you step outside the gate.

The cost of a travelling population is borne not only by the environment that shelters it but also by the countries, local areas and people that entertain it. As visitors we should remember to wipe our feet just as any guest entering someone else's home, we must also be sensitive towards the needs and traditions of our hosts.

Stephen Chapman

Founder, Make Travel Fair